Ricardo Carvalho Praises Chelsea's 'Unbelievable' Branislav Ivanovic

Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho has hailed the man who played such a prominent role as his team claimed a 3-1 first leg lead over Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final, the second leg of which is played at Stamford Bridge this evening.

Carvalho's fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic, in many ways a surprise selection for the first leg, was certainly a surprise goalscorer when he appeared in the Reds' box on two occasions to help fire them in to pole position for a semi-final berth.

"It is important when the game is away to always score a goal and at Anfield we conceded first but after that we controlled all the game and we deserved to win," the Portuguese told Chelsea's official website.

"It was unbelievable. He [Ivanovic] played right-back and he played so good and in the corners he was so strong in the air. It has been a difficult season for him but he deserves this because he works a lot and he deserves to play."

The centre-back was also insisting that it was vital that the Blues did not allow complacency to derail their bid to progress to the final of a competition that they are so desperate to win.

"When in Porto we won 2-0 the first game once and after that it is halfway done but we have to be strong for the second game because in football, things can change quickly, so we have to be prepared to play at our level," he added, before concluding by asserting that he was in good personal shape for tonight's match-up, stating, "I am ready. I have been out too long and it has been difficult but I have done extra work to get more fit to start the games."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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